Electric unit, and endoscope loaded with electric unit

ABSTRACT

An electric unit according to the invention has a first and a second image pickup cables having flexibility, a heat shrinkable tube having a cable bundling portion that bundles the first and the second image pickup cables, a first and a second substrates to which the first and the second image pickup cables are connected, an anti-mist element cable and a heat radiation cable that are bundled by the cable bundling portion together with the first and the second image pickup cables to protrude to sides of the first and the second substrates from the cable bundling portion, and a reinforcement frame that fixes core wires of both the cables, and both the anti-mist element cable and heat radiation cable cables are placed in positions that are deviated from a center axis of the heat shrinkable tube in the cable bundling portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2014/062051filed on May 1, 2014 and claims benefit of Japanese Application No.2013-198388 filed in Japan on Sep. 25, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electric unit that makes a twist ofa first cable, which occurs when the first cable is routed, difficult totransmit to an electric component side, and an endoscope loaded with theelectric unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

The functions of electronic equipment such as an endoscope areincreasing more and more, and with the increase, the transmissionsignals to the electric unit represented by an image pickup apparatus orthe like loaded on the electronic equipment increase, and the number ofelectric cables tends to increase inevitably.

When a relatively flexible long portion is included as in electronicequipment such as an endoscope, a plurality of electric cables areinserted through the long portion, and distal ends of the respectiveelectric cables are connected to an electric unit that is placed at thedistal end side of the electronic equipment, and when an operator routesthe long portion of the electronic equipment, a twisting force in therotational direction occurs to the respective electric cables which areplaced inside, in the site where the long portion bends.

The twisting is transmitted to a distal end direction, but if there area number of bending spots, the twisting force which is transmitted tothe electric unit side becomes large correspondingly.

The twisting force is applied to the connection portion of the electricunit and the electric cable as a twist force, and in the electronicequipment showing such a behavior, the electric unit (a flexible printedboard on which an electronic component is packaged, a solid image pickupdevice connecting to the flexible printed board, and the like), and theentire electric cable (image pickup cable) which connects to theelectric unit are surrounded by an adhesive, and cured, wherebyenhancement in durability is realized, as shown in InternationalPublication No. 2010/064506, for example.

For example, a tray 21 (a detailed configuration will be described inembodiments) shown in FIG. 2 is a tray in which the endoscope 1 is setwhen autoclave sterilization (high pressure steam sterilization)treatment is performed for an endoscope 1 which is one example of theelectronic equipment, and a universal cord 4 that is a long portion ofthe endoscope 1 is set in a state in which the universal cord 4 isrouted in a predetermined manner.

An image pickup cable which performs transmission and reception ofsignals or the like with an image pickup apparatus which is provided ata distal end portion of an insertion portion 2, and the like areinserted through the inside of the universal cord 4 as an electriccable, and when two solid image pickup devices are placed in the imagepickup apparatus, two of image pickup cables are placed to correspond tothe two solid image pickup devices.

The image pickup cable has a large outside diameter, and is difficult totwist, and therefore, as the number of times of bending at the time ofthe universal cord 4 being set into the tray 21 increases, the twistingforce which is transmitted to the distal end side of the insertionportion 2 gradually becomes large.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, various cables 58, 60 and62, a pair of light guide fibers 65, and four angle wires 66 that causethe bending portion 12 (see FIG. 2) which is provided at the distal endside of the insertion portion 2 to bend in an up, a down, a left and aright directions, and the like are inserted through the inside of theinsertion portion 2 in a predetermined manner, besides the two imagepickup cables 46 and 47.

Distal ends of the angle wires 66 are fixed to a distal end portion ofthe bending portion 12, but the other members are inserted through theinsertion portion 2 in a state in which movement in a radial directionis relatively free.

Among the members, the two image pickup cables 46 and 47 are bundled bya cable bundling portion 57 a at a root side of a heat shrinkable tube57 that covers the solid image pickup apparatus, and are hardened by anadhesive filler 54 which is filled in the heat shrinkable tube 57, at aside of the image pickup apparatus having the solid image pickup device,as shown in FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C.

As shown by the arrows in FIG. 15A, a twisting force from the universalcord 4 side is transmitted to both the image pickup cables 46 and 47that are bundled by the cable bundling portion 57 a.

The adhesive filler 54 has a peculiar softening point, and is easilysoftened when the endoscope 1 is heated at a temperature higher than thesoftening point as in autoclave treatment.

When the adhesive filler 54 is softened, both the image pickup cables 46and 47 cannot resist the twisting force which is transmitted to theimage pickup cables 46 and 47, and both the image pickup cables 46 and47 start to move in the rotational direction together with the cablebundling portion 57 a of the heat shrinkable tube 57, as shown in FIG.15B.

Thereupon, deformation portions 57 b in constricted shapes are formed inthe cable bundling portion 57 a.

When both the image pickup cables 46 and 47 further move in therotational direction, a load is exerted on the cable bundling portion 57a, and the constrictions in the deformation portions 57 b are graduallydeformed by large amounts, as shown in FIG. 15C.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electric unit according to one aspect of the present invention hasfirst cables, second cables, a cable bundling portion that correctivelysurrounds and bundles a plurality of the first cables and a plurality ofthe second cables, an electric component to which a plurality of thefirst cables are connected, a rigid portion that has a protrudingportion that protrudes to a side of the electric component from thecable bundling portion, and is a portion formed by an element wire ofthe second cables being solidified with solder; and a fixing sectionthat fixes the protruding portion, wherein the rigid portion is placedin a position that is deviated from a center axis in the cable bundlingportion.

Further, an endoscope according to one aspect of the present inventionis an endoscope loaded with the electric unit, wherein the electriccomponent is an image pickup device provided at a distal end of aninsertion portion and a substrate connected to the image pickup device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an entire configuration view of an endoscope according to afirst embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a state in which the endoscope is set in a heattreatment tray, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view of a distal end portion of theendoscope, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional plan view of the distal end portion ofthe endoscope, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4, according tothe first embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1, and is asectional view of a state before the endoscope is set into the heattreatment tray, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1, and is asectional view at a time of the endoscope being set into the heattreatment tray, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, of a distal endportion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7,according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, according to afourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, according to afifth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, according to asixth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, according to aseventh embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an essential part sectional side view of a distal end portionof an endoscope according to an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 15A is a sectional view of a cable bundling portion of a heatshrinkable tube that covers a conventional endoscope apparatus, and isan explanatory view of a twist force that acts on image pickup cables;

FIG. 15B is a sectional view of the cable bundling portion of the heatshrinkable tube which covers the conventional endoscope apparatus, andis an explanatory view of a state in which the image pickup cablesrotate by softening of an adhesive filler; and

FIG. 15C is a sectional view of the cable bundling portion of the heatshrinkable tube which covers the conventional endoscope apparatus, andis an explanatory view of a state in which the cable bundling portion isdeformed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be describedbased on the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic, attentionshould be paid to the fact that relations of thicknesses and widths ofrespective members, ratios of the thicknesses of the individual membersand the like differ from actual relations and ratios, and among thedrawings, parts in which the relations and ratios of mutual dimensionsdiffer from one another are included as a matter of course.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a rigid electronic endoscope (hereinafter, simply called“an endoscope”) 1 capable of being subjected to autoclave (high pressuresteam sterilization) treatment.

The endoscope 1 has an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3connectively provided at a proximal end of the insertion portion 2, auniversal cord 4 that is extended from the operation portion 3, a scopeconnector 5 that is placed at a proximal end of the universal cord 4,and an electric connector 6 that is provided at an end portion of acable extending from a side portion of the scope connector 5.

Further, the insertion portion 2 is configured by having a distal endportion 11, a bending portion 12 connectively provided at the distal endportion 11, and a rigid portion 13 provided between the bending portion12 and the operation portion 3.

The operation portion 3 is provided with two bending operation levers 14and 15 that perform bending operations of the bending portion 12vertically and laterally by turning operations, and switches 16 forperforming various operations and the like.

The switches 16 are operated when a predetermined endoscope function,for example, an operation or the like of an image pickup apparatus 31that is placed in the distal end portion 11 is performed.

Further, when the endoscope 1 is accommodated in an autoclave apparatus(not illustrated) and autoclave treatment is applied to the endoscope 1,the endoscope 1 is set into a heat treatment tray 21 shown in FIG. 2.

In the heat treatment tray 21, a plurality of positioning portions 21 aare provided as predetermined, which position the insertion portion 2and the operation portion 3 as predetermined, and position the universalcord 4 and the like in a state in which the universal cord 4 and thelike are routed as predetermined so that the insertion portion 2 and theoperation portion 3 do not interfere with the long portion such as theuniversal cord 4.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a distal end cover glass 32 that configuresan observation window is provided at a distal end of the image pickupapparatus 31 which is incorporated in the distal end portion 11 of theendoscope 1, a ring-shaped anti-mist element 33 that heats the distalend cover glass 32 to perform demisting is placed at a rear portion ofthe distal end cover glass 32, and further, behind the anti-mist element33, an objective lens unit 34 (details are not illustrated) including anobjective lens, a retaining frame that retains an objective lens and thelike is placed.

Further, an insulation frame 35 that retains the objective lens unit 34is fitted and fixed to a metallic distal end frame 36 that retains thedistal end cover glass 32 and the anti-mist element 33.

A distal end frame 36 is jointed to a proximal end outer circumferentialportion of the insulation frame 35.

Further, an inner surface side of the insulation frame 35 is joined to alens retaining frame (not illustrated), and an outer circumferentialportion at a proximal end side of the lens retaining frame is jointed toa retaining holder 37.

Further, the image pickup apparatus 31 is placed at a proximal endportion of the retaining holder 37.

The image pickup apparatus 31 is a double image pickup apparatusincluding two solid image pickup devices, and has a prism unit 41 havinga prism section 40, a first and a second solid image pickup devices 42and 43 that are configured by image sensors such as CCD or CMOS, and afirst and a second substrates 44 and 45 that are relatively rigid and afirst and a second image pickup cables 46 and 47, and a distal endportion (a side on which an incident light from the objective lens unit34 is incident) of the prism unit 41 is fitted and fixed to the proximalend portion of the retaining holder 37.

An electric component of the present invention is configured by thefirst and the second solid image pickup devices 42 and 43 and the firstand the second substrates 44 and 45.

Further, a reinforcement plate 42 a is bonded to a back surface of thefirst solid image pickup device 42.

The reinforcement plate 42 a is for preventing breakage of the solidimage pickup device 42 by a load at a time of assembly, and is formedfrom a relatively rigid insulating material such as glass and ceramics.

Note that in FIG. 3, the reinforcement plate 42 a is shown as being in aflat plate shape, but the reinforcement plate 42 a is not limitedthereto, and the reinforcement plate 42 a may be formed into a shape (abox shape, or a U-shape) covering the back surface and a side surface ofthe solid image pickup device 42.

The prism section 40 of the prism unit 41 is configured by joining afirst prism 51 and a second prism 52 so as to emit an incident lighttransmitted through the objective lens unit 34 by dividing the incidentlight into two optical paths.

Further, the prism section 40 is configured by providing a greenreflection coat layer (also called a dichroic coat layer) 41 a on ajoint boundary surface where the first prism 51 and the second prism 52are layered on each other.

Note that the green reflection coat layer 41 a is formed on the jointboundary surface where the first prism 51 and the second prism 52 arelayered on each other by a reflection film being applied onto a slantsurface of the first prism 51, and has a characteristic that reflects alight of green (G) of an incident light, and transmits lights of led (R)and blue (B).

The first solid image pickup device 42 for reproducing a luminancesignal (a Y signal) is bonded and fixed to an exit surface at a sidewhere substantially perpendicular reflection is performed by the greenreflection coat layer 41 a of the first prism 51 via a first cover glass38 a, and the first solid image pickup device 42 receives light that isemitted from the first prism 51.

Further, the second solid image pickup device 43 for reproducing colorsignals (the R and B signals) is bonded and fixed to a rear part at aside (an exit surface side) where emission is performed aftertransmission through the green reflection coat layer 41 a of the firstprism 51 and the second prism 52 via a second cover glass 38 b, andreceives light that is emitted by being transmitted through the firstprism 51 and the second prism 52.

Note that though not illustrated, color filters for the red (R) and theblue (B) which are provided side by side in a stripe shape are providedon a light receiving surface of the second solid image pickup device 43,and thereby, the second solid image pickup device 43 functions as asolid image pickup device for reproducing color signals (the R and Bsignals).

Further, color filters are not provided on a light receiving surface ofthe first solid image pickup device 42, and accordingly, the first solidimage pickup device 42 functions as a solid image pickup device forreproducing a luminance signal (a Y signal).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and the second substrates 44 and45 on which electronic components 50 a and 50 b such as a capacitor, andan IC circuit are packaged are respectively connected to the first andthe second solid image pickup devices 42 and 43.

The electronic components 50 a and 50 b are placed in a state in whichthe electronic components 50 a and 50 b confronting each other in ataper shape that opens to a distal end direction from a proximal endside, and a heat sink 53 is interposed between opposing surfacesthereof.

In the heat sink 53, surfaces that confront both the electroniccomponents 50 a and 50 b are formed to be wedge-shaped in section whichare parallel with the electronic components 50 a and 50 b, and a distalend face thereof is caused to confront a back surface of the secondsolid image pickup device 43, and promotes radiation of heat that isgenerated in the image pickup apparatus 31, and the electroniccomponents 50 a and 50 b.

Further, a plurality of signal lines 46 a which the first image pickupcable 46 has are electrically connected to the first substrate 44, and aplurality of signal lines 47 a which the second image pickup cable 47has are electrically connected to the second substrate 45.

The first image pickup cable 46 performs supply of electric power to theelectronic component 50 a and transmission and reception of signals toand from the first solid image pickup device 42 via the first substrate44, and the second image pickup cable 47 performs supply of electricpower to the electronic component 50 b and transmission and reception ofsignals to and from the second solid image pickup device 43 via thesubstrate 45.

Note that as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the respective image pickupcables 46 and 47 are configured by the signal lines 46 a and 47 a ascore wires with a plurality of element wires being twisted, internalinsulating coatings 46 b and 47 b that cover the signal lines 46 a and47 a, shielding wires 46 c and 47 c that cover the internal insulatingcoatings 46 b and 47 b, and external insulating coatings 46 d and 47 dthat cover the shielding wires 46 c and 47 c.

Note that the first and the second image pickup cables 46 and 47correspond to first cables having flexibility of the present invention.

Further, the prism section 40 is retained by a prism unit joiningportion 37 a of the retaining holder 37, and the prism unit joiningportion 37 a is provided with a reinforcement frame 56 of a metal havingheat conductivity is provided to contain the respective substrates 44and 45.

Note that the reinforcement frame 56 corresponds to an electriccomponent retaining member as a fixing section of the present invention.

Further, an outer circumferential face of the retaining holder 37 iscovered with a heat shrinkable tube 57 as an outer sheath.

The heat shrinkable tube 57 contains the reinforcement frame 56 and theimage pickup apparatus 31, covers distal end outer circumferentialportions where core wires are not exposed, of the various cables thatare caused to face a proximal end portion side of the reinforcementframe 56, and bundles distal end portions of the respective cables.

The cables which are bundled by the heat shrinkable tube 57 include ananti-mist element cable 58 that supplies electric power to the anti-mistelement 33, a heat radiation cable 60 and the like, besides the firstand the second image pickup cables 46 and 47 described above.

Note that both the cables 58 and 60 correspond to a second cable of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, a core wire 58 a at a distal end side of theanti-mist element cable 58 is connected to a substrate 33 a on which theanti-mist element 33 is packaged.

A core wire 60 a at a distal end side of the heat radiation cable 60 isfixed to an outer periphery of the reinforcement frame 56 with use ofsolder, a heat conductive adhesive or the like.

The core wire 60 a of the heat radiation cable 60 is formed with use ofa material with favorable heat conductivity.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, both the core wires 58 a and 60 a areexposed forward from an inside of a region A that is a range of a cablebundling portion 57 a, are bent to intersect each other, and are fixedto a side surface of the reinforcement frame 56 with solder, an adhesiveor the like.

Further, the core wires 58 a and 60 a are impregnated with solder to bemade a rigid portion having protruding portions.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the cable bundling portion 57 a, thefirst and the second image pickup cables 46 and 47 are placed adjacentlyto each other, and the anti-mist element cable 58 and the heat radiationcable 60 are placed in an opposed state at both sides with a lineconnecting centers of both the image pickup cables 46 and 47therebetween.

Both the cables 58 and 60 are fixed by being collectively surrounded andbundled by the cable bundling portion 57 a together with the imagepickup cables 46 and 47 in a state in which the respective image pickupcables 46 and 47 contact both the cables 58 and 60.

As above, in the present embodiment, the core wires 58 a and 60 a of theanti-mist element cable 58 and the heat radiation cable 60 are made therigid portion having the protruding portions by being impregnated withsolder and are fixed to the reinforcement frame 56, and the proximalportion sides thereof are bundled in the cable bundling portion 57 a andfixed in the state in which the proximal portion sides are caused toconfront each other with the image pickup cables 46 and 47 therebetween,whereby the anti-mist element cable 58 and the heat radiation cable 60are caused to function as a twist preventing member.

Further, since the existing anti-mist element cable 58 and the heatradiation cable 60 are caused to function as the twist preventingmember, reduction in the number of components is achieved, and reductionof a diameter of the insertion portion 2 can be further realized.

Further, the proximal end sides of the first and the second image pickupcables 46 and 47, and the anti-mist element cable 58 are connected tothe electric connector 6 via the insertion portion 2, the operationportion 3, the universal cord 4 and the scope connector 5.

The proximal end side of the heat radiation cable 60 undergoesinsulation treatment, and is disposed in the scope rigid portion 13.

Heat that is transmitted to the reinforcement frame 56 is furthertransmitted to the heat radiation cable 60.

The anti-mist element cable 58 supplies heating electric power from apower supply (not illustrated) that is connected to the electricconnector 6 to the anti-mist element unit 33.

An adhesive filler 54 is filled in the reinforcement frame 56, and bythe adhesive filler 54, the respective components configuring the imagepickup apparatus 31 are sealed in the reinforcement frame 56, and isintegrally fixed firmly.

A material of the adhesive filler 54 is an epoxy resin, for example,having an insulation property.

Further, the heat sink 53 and a shielding wire 46 c of the first imagepickup cable 46 are electrically connected via a heat radiating jumperwire 59.

Further, a shielding wire 47 c of the second image pickup cable 47 isalso electrically connected to the heat sink 53 via another heatradiating jumper wire.

Thereby, part of heat of the heat sink 53 is also released to outside bythe shielding wires 46 c and 47 c.

Next, an operation of the present embodiment which is composed of theconfiguration as above will be described.

When the endoscope 1 is set into the heat treatment tray 21 in orderthat heat treatment such as autoclave treatment is applied to theendoscope 1, the universal cord 4 is routed in a predetermined manner,and is engaged with respective positioning portions 21 a, as shown inFIG. 2.

Thereupon, the first and the second image pickup cables 46 and 47, theanti-mist element cable 58, the heat radiation cable 60, another cable62 and the like which are internally fitted into the universal cord 4and the insertion portion 2 are inserted through the universal cord 4and the insertion portion 2 in a state in which movement in a radialdirection is relatively free, and therefore, twisting occurs each timethe cables are bent.

In this case, the anti-mist element cable 58 and the heat radiationcable 60 have relatively small outside diameters and are flexible inaddition, and therefore, stress that occurs in a rotational direction isabsorbed by twisting of themselves.

However, the first and the second image pickup cables 46 and 47 havelarge outside diameters, and difficult to twist, and therefore, as thenumber of bending times at a time of routing the universal cord 4increases, a twisting force which is transmitted to the distal end sidegradually becomes large.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the first and the secondimage pickup cables 46 and 47, the anti-mist element cable 58 and theheat radiation cable 60 which are described above, the other cable 62, apair of light guide fibers 65, four angle wires 66 that cause thebending portion 12 to bend a vertical and a lateral directions, and thelike are inserted through the inside of the insertion portion 2 in apredetermined manner.

Distal ends of the angle wires 66 are fixed to the distal end portion 12a of the bending portion 12, but the other members are inserted in astate in which movement in the radial direction is relatively free.

Therefore, in a vicinity of the cable bundling portion 57 a of the heatshrinkable tube 57, a rotational force as shown by the arrows in FIG. 6Aoccurs to the respective image pickup cables 46 and 47 by the twistingforce which is transmitted from the rear end side, whereby as shown inFIG. 6B, the anti-mist element cable 58, the heat radiation cable 60 andthe other cable 62 which are incorporated therein are pushed away andare moved, and the pair of light guide fibers 65 are easily crushedbecause the pair of light guide fibers 65 are relatively flexible.

In this case, the image pickup apparatus 31 which is placed in thedistal end portion 11 is fixed into the reinforcement frame 56 by theadhesive filler 54, and the distal end outer circumferential portionswhere the core wires of the respective cables 46, 47, 58 and 60 are notexposed are collectively surrounded, bundled and fixed by the cablebundling portion 57 a of the heat shrinkable tube 57, and therefore, inthe vicinity of the cable bundling portion 57 a, both the image pickupcables 46 and 47 do not move significantly to the rotational directionas shown in FIG. 6B.

However, when heat treatment is applied to the endoscope 1 which is setinto the heat treatment tray 21 in the predetermined manner, at atemperature higher than a softening point of the adhesive filler 54which seals the image pickup apparatus 31, by sterilizing treatmentrepresented by autoclave treatment or the like, the adhesive filler 54is softened as a matter of course, whereby internal stress (a twistforce) accumulated in the respective image pickup cables 46 and 47cannot resist and are gradually released, and in the cable bundlingportion 57 a of the heat shrinkable tube 57, both the image pickupcables 46 and 47 are to rotate in a state in which both the image pickupcables 46 and 47 are fastened by the cable bundling portion 57 a as inFIG. 15 (b) described above.

Subsequently, the twist force (the rotational force) is transmitted tothe connection portion with the image pickup apparatus 31, a twist(twisting) shearing force easily occurs, and durability is graduallyreduced by repetition of the heat treatment.

In relation to the above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4and FIG. 5, the core wires 58 a and 60 a of the anti-mist element cable58 and the heat radiation cable 60 are exposed forward from the insideof the region A which is the range of the cable bundling portion 57 aand are fixed to the side surfaces of the reinforcement frame 56 withsolder, an adhesive or the like, and the core wires 58 a and 60 a arefurther impregnated with solder to be made the rigid portion.

Therefore, in the cable bundling portion 57 a, the anti-mist elementcable 58 and the heat radiation cable 60 function as the twistpreventing member, and even when the first image pickup cable 46 and thesecond image pickup cable 47 are to rotate, the rotation is inhibited.

As a result, the cable bundling portion 57 a is not deformed, a shearingforce does not occur to the connection portion with the image pickupapparatus 31, and even when heat treatment is repeated, durability isnot significantly reduced.

That is to say, for example, when both the image pickup cables 46 and 47are to rotate in a clockwise direction in FIG. 5, the first image pickupcable 46 contacts the anti-mist element cable 58, and the rotationthereof is inhibited.

The second image pickup cable 47 contacts the heat radiation cable 60,and the rotation thereof is inhibited.

When both the image pickup cables 46 and 47 are to rotate in acounterclockwise direction, the second image pickup cable 47 contactsthe anti-mist element cable 58 and is inhibited, and the first imagepickup cable 46 contacts the heat radiation cable 60 and is inhibited.

As a result, the existing anti-mist element cable 58 and the existingheat radiation cable 60 can inhibit the twist rotational forces in bothdirections of both the image pickup cables 46 and 47, and durability ofthe entire endoscope 1 can be enhanced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the aforementioned first embodiment, the existing anti-mist elementcable 58 and the existing heat radiation cable 60 are caused to functionas the twist preventing member, but in the present embodiment, anexclusive twist preventing member 61 is placed in place of the anti-mistelement cable 58, and the twist preventing member 61 and the heatradiation cable 60 as the second cable are configured to inhibitrotational movement of the two image pickup cables 46 and 47.

Depending on the endoscope 1 to be used, the aforementioned anti-mistelement cable 58 is not needed.

In the case as above, the cable bundling portion 57 a of the heatshrinkable tube 57 fastens and bundles the first image pickup cable 46and the second image pickup cable 47, and the heat radiation cable 60,and at this time, an effect similar to the effect of the aforementionedfirst embodiment can be obtained by use of the exclusive twistpreventing member 61 in substitution for the aforementioned anti-mistelement cable 58.

That is to say, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, as for the twistpreventing member 61, a distal end portion 61 a of the twist preventingmember 61 as a protruding portion is fixed to the outer periphery of thereinforcement frame 56 with use of solder, an adhesive or the like.

The twist preventing member 61 prevents the twist forces which aretransmitted from the respective image pickup cables 46 and 47 from beingtransmitted to the image pickup apparatus 31 side, and is formed from arigid material.

The twist preventing member 61 is formed into a rod shape, a rear endportion 61 b is protruded rearward from the reinforcement frame 56, andan end portion thereof is caused to face a same spot as a rear end ofthe cable bundling portion 57 a formed at a tube rear end portion of theheat shrinkable tube 57, or a slightly distal end side from the rear endof the cable bundling portion 57 a, that is, an inside of the region Awhich is the range of the cable bundling portion 57 a.

A bent portion 61 c is formed in a middle thereof, and by the bentportion 61 c, a position in the radial direction which the rear endportion 61 b is caused to face is set.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the cable bundling portion 57 a, the heatradiation cable 60 is placed at one of positions that are facing eachother with a line connecting axes of both the image pickup cables 46 and47 therebetween, and the rear end portion 61 b of the twist preventingmember 61 is caused to face the heat radiation cable 60 in the otherposition.

The heat radiation cable 60 and the rear end portion 61 b of the twistpreventing member 61 are brought into contact with the respective imagepickup cables 46 and 47, and are fixed in the state in which the rearend portion 61 b and the respective image pickup cables 46 and 47 aresurrounded and bundled collectively.

The distal end portion 61 a of the twist preventing member 61 is fixedto the reinforcement frame 56 with use of solder, an adhesive agent orthe like.

Note that in the twist preventing member 61 according to the presentembodiment, a diameter of the rear end portion 61 b becomes thicker ascompared with the distal end portion 61 a, and the diameters of the rearend portion 61 b and the distal end portion 61 a are properly set inaccordance with sectional diameters of gaps which the rear end portion61 b and the distal end portion 61 a are caused to face.

In the configuration as above, the twist preventing member 61 is appliedin place of the anti-mist element cable 58 of the first embodiment, andtherefore, even with the endoscope 1 which does not include theanti-mist element cable 58, an effect equivalent to the effect of thefirst embodiment can be obtained.

Note that in the present embodiment, the twist preventing member 61 isapplied in place of the anti-mist element cable 58, but in an endoscopethat does not include the heat radiation cable 60, the twist preventingmember 61 is used in substitution for the heat radiation cable 60.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

Depending on the endoscope 1 to be used, both the anti-mist elementcable 58 and the heat radiation cable 60 which are described above arenot needed.

In the case as above, an effect similar to the effect of theaforementioned first embodiment can be obtained with use of a pair ofexclusive twist preventing members 61 in substitution for both thecables 58 and 60.

Further, the rear end portion 61 b of the twist preventing member 61according to the present embodiment is smaller than the diameters ofboth the image pickup cables 46 and 47, and accordingly a center of therear end portion 61 b is placed at a position that deviates from acenter axis of the heat shrinkable tube 57 in the cable bundling portion57 a.

As above, in the present embodiment, the exclusive twist preventingmembers 61 are provided, whereby even with the endoscope in which boththe anti-mist element cable 58 and the heat radiation cable 60 are notplaced, an effect similar to the effect of the first embodiment can beobtained.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the aforementioned third embodiment, the rear end portions 61 b ofthe two twist preventing members 61 are disposed to be in contact withthe respective image pickup cables 46 and 47, but in the presentembodiment, four twist preventing members 63 formed from a rigidmaterial are placed with respect to the two image pickup cables 46 and47.

Note that though not illustrated, distal end portions of the respectivetwist preventing members 63 are fixed to the reinforcement frame 56 (seeFIG. 7).

That is to say, as shown in FIG. 10, the twist preventing members 63 arerespectively caused to face each other in spaces between the outerperipheries of the respective image pickup cables 46 and 47 and thecable bundling portion 57 a of the heat shrinkable tube 57 in adirection substantially perpendicular to a line connecting centers ofboth the image pickup cables 46 and 47.

Thereby, even when the respective image pickup cables 46 and 47 are torotate in either direction, the rotation is inhibited here by therespective twist preventing members 63.

In the present embodiment, the number of twist preventing members 63increases as compared with the aforementioned third embodiment, but therotational force is dispersed to the individual twist preventing members63, and therefore, the diameters can be made small correspondingly.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the first to the fourth embodiments described above, the aspect inwhich the two image pickup cables 46 and 47 are bundled and fastened bythe cable bundling portion 57 a of the heat shrinkable tube 57 isdescribed, but in the present embodiment, an aspect in which a thirdimage pickup cable 64 as the first cable having flexibility is bundledby the cable bundling portion 57 a in addition to the two image pickupcables 46 and 47 is shown.

That is to say, the respective image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 arebundled in a triangular shape in a state in which the respective imagepickup cables 46, 47 and 64 are in contact with one another, the twistpreventing members 63 are placed at outer circumferential sides wherethe adjacent image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 are in contact with oneanother in a state in which the twist preventing members 63 are incontact with the two adjacent image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64.

Note that a broken line shows a region in the radial direction in whichthe respective image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 are to rotate.

According to the present embodiment, even when the respective imagepickup cables 46, 47 and 64 are to rotate in either direction, therotational movement thereof can be reliably inhibited by the respectivetwist preventing members 63, similarly to the aforementioned fourthembodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the aforementioned fifth embodiment, the aspect in which the threeimage pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 are bundled in the triangular shape isdescribed, but in the present embodiment, the three image pickup cables46, 47 and 64 are bundled in a laterally arranged state.

That is to say, in the present embodiment, each pair of twist preventingmembers 63 are placed to face each other at outer circumferential sidesof a site where the respective image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 whichare adjacent to one another with the respective image pickup cables 46,47 and 64 therebetween, the respective twist preventing members 63 arebrought into contact with the image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 whichare adjacent to one another, and are bundled and fastened collectivelyby the cable bundling portion 57 a.

According to the present embodiment, movement of the respective imagepickup cables 46, 47 and 64 is restricted by the respective twistpreventing members 63, and therefore, even if the adhesive filler 54 issoftened at the time of heat treatment, a single-line state of the threeimage pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 can be kept.

As a result, the image pickup cables 46, 47 and 64 are easily fastenedand fixed in the single-line state, and the respective image pickupcables 46, 47 and 64 do not move even if heat treatment is repeatedlyperformed, whereby favorable durability can be obtained.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 13 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the aforementioned third embodiment, the aspect in which the twoimage pickup cables 46 and 47 have the same diameter is described, butthe present embodiment shows an aspect in which two image pickup cables46 and 46 e having different diameters are bundled.

When the two image pickup cables 46 and 46 e having different diametersare bundled, the image pickup cable 46 e having a small diameter movesmore easily in the rotational direction as compared with the imagepickup cable 46 having a large diameter, and therefore, the diameter ofthe twist preventing member 63 is set to be such a diameter that theimage pickup cable 46 e does not ride over the twist preventing member63 when a rotational force occurs to the image pickup cable 46 e havinga small diameter.

The other operation is the same as the operation of the aforementionedsecond embodiment, and therefore, explanation will be omitted.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 14 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is a modification of the aforementioned seventhembodiment.

The present embodiment is such that a shielding wire 58 b which iscoated with an internal insulating film not illustrated and is providedat the anti-mist element cable 58 is caused to protrude, is collectivelymade a stranded wire, is impregnated with solder to be made a rigidportion having a protruding portion, and is fixed to the reinforcementframe 56 with use of solder or an adhesive agent.

Thereby, the shielding wire 58 b of the anti-mist element cable 58 canbe also caused to function as the twist preventing member.

As a result, rotational movement of the two image pickup cables 46 and47 can be inhibited more reliably by the existing anti-mist elementcable 58.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the aforementionedrespective embodiments, and, for example, the fixing section may be asite other than the reinforcement frame 56 if only the fixing section isa relatively firm site.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric unit, comprising: first cables;second cables; a cable bundling portion that correctively surrounds andbundles a plurality of the first cables and a plurality of the secondcables; an electric component to which a plurality of the first cablesare connected; a rigid portion that has a protruding portion thatprotrudes to a side of the electric component from the cable bundlingportion, and is a portion formed by an element wire of the second cablesbeing solidified with solder; and a fixing section that fixes theprotruding portion, wherein the rigid portion is placed in a positionthat is deviated from a center axis in the cable bundling portion. 2.The electric unit according to claim 1, wherein the fixing section isthe electric component.
 3. The electric unit according to claim 1,wherein the fixing section is an electric component retaining memberthat directly or indirectly retains the electric component.
 4. Anendoscope loaded with the electric unit according to claim 1, whereinthe electric component is an image pickup device provided at a distalend of an insertion portion and a substrate connected to the imagepickup device.
 5. An endoscope loaded with the electric unit accordingto claim 2, wherein the electric component is an image pickup deviceprovided at a distal end of an insertion portion and a substrateconnected to the image pickup device.
 6. An endoscope loaded with theelectric unit according to claim 3, wherein the electric component is animage pickup device provided at a distal end of an insertion portion anda substrate connected to the image pickup device.